Shower and tub caddy enclosure

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for enclosing existing corner shelves of a shower stall or a bath unit. The apparatus comprises a pair of mounting members that are secured to adjacent wall surfaces closely adjacent such corner shelves. The mounting members are disposed vertically on such adjacent walls. There are a pair or track members secured to the pair of mounting members, a first one of the pair of track members secured to a top portion of each of the pair of mounting members and a second one of the pair of track members secured to a bottom portion of each of the pair of mounting member. Further, there is a folding enclosure that is engageable on a bottom end with the second one of the pair of track members and on an upper end engageable with the first one of the pair of track members. The folding enclosure having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined size and is formed of a predetermined material. The folding enclosure covers such shelves. The fold being similar to accordion pleats.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/760,451 filed Jan. 20, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a hanging fixture for tuband shower, and, more particularly, the present invention relates to ashower and tub caddy enclosure which holds all shower and bathingsupplies together in an easily accessible unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bathroom showers and tubs are often cluttered with bottles of shampoo,conditioner, body washes and other cleansing products. Having all of theitems normally associated with showering or bathing scattered on the tubcorners and edges makes for an untidy situation. These items are easilybumped which causes them to fall in the tub or on the floor. In somecases this could be dangerous if any of the items would be in glasscontainers or easily cracked plastic containers. For most people havingthese items at ones fingertips is very convenient and makes for a morepleasurable shower or bath.

Thus, it would be advantageous if there were a means or a unit in whichall of the items associated with showering or bathing could be stored inone place and hidden from view.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus forenclosing existing corner shelves of a shower stall or a bath unit. Theapparatus comprises a pair of mounting members that are secured toadjacent wall surfaces closely adjacent such corner shelves. Themounting members are disposed vertically on such adjacent walls. Thereare a pair or track members secured to the pair of mounting members, afirst one of the pair of track members secured to a top portion of eachof the pair of mounting members and a second one of the pair of trackmembers secured to a bottom portion of each of the pair of mountingmember. Further, there is a folding enclosure that is engageable on abottom end with the second one of the pair of track members and on anupper end engageable with the first one of the pair of track members.The folding enclosure having each of a predetermined shape and apredetermined size and is formed of a predetermined material. Thefolding enclosure covers such shelves. The fold being similar toaccordion pleats.

In another aspect the invention provides an apparatus for holdingbathing accessories in one of a shower stall and a bath unit. Theapparatus comprises a corner mounting member secured to a corner portionof a wall in such one of a shower and a bath unit. A plurality ofshelves are attached to the corner mounting member. The plurality ofshelves having a predetermined shape and formed of a predeterminedmaterial. A pair of side mounting members are secured to adjacent wallsurfaces closely adjacent such corner shelves, the mounting members aredisposed vertically on such adjacent walls. A pair or track members aresecured to the pair of side mounting members, a first one of the pair oftrack members is secured to a top portion of each of the pair of sidemounting members and a second one of the pair of track members issecured to a bottom portion of each of the pair of side mountingmembers. A folding enclosure is engageable on a bottom end with thesecond one of the pair of track members and on an upper end isengageable with the first one of the pair of track members. The foldingenclosure having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined sizeand is formed of a predetermined material. The folding enclosure coverssuch shelves when in a closed position.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention isto provide a cover for existing corner shower or bathtub shelves to hidethe contents of the shelves.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cover forexisting shelves wherein the door is a folding door having accordiontype pleats.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cornershelf unit for showers or bathtubs that has a folding door that coversthe shelves.

These and various other objects and advantages of this invention willbecome apparent after a full reading of the following detaileddescription, particularly, when read in conjunction with the attacheddrawings as described below and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a set of prior art corner shelves for ashower or bathtub.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another set of prior art corner shelvesfor a shower or bathtub.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cover for a set of existing cornershelves according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a corner set of shelves with a covermember according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a corner set of shelves with threeshelves and a cover member according to an embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTSOF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the presentinvention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identicalcomponents which have identical functions have been designated byidentical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated inthe drawings.

In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus, generallydesignated 10, for enclosing existing corner shelves, generallydesignated 20 of a shower stall or a bath unit. Such prior art cornershelves 20 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The apparatus 10 comprises a pairof mounting members 2 that are secured to adjacent wall surfaces closelyadjacent such corner shelves 20. The mounting members 2 are disposedvertically on such adjacent walls. There are a pair or track members 4secured to the pair of mounting members 2, a first one of the pair oftrack members 4 secured to a top portion of each of the pair of mountingmembers 2 and a second one of the pair of track members 4 secured to abottom portion of each of the pair of mounting members 2. Further, thereis a folding enclosure 6 that is engageable on a bottom end with thesecond one of the pair of track members 4 and on an upper end engageablewith the first one of the pair of track members 4. The folding enclosure6 having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined size and isformed of a predetermined material. The folding enclosure 6 covers suchcorner shelves 20 when in a closed position. The fold being similar toaccordion pleats wherein such folding enclosure 6 when open essentiallyfolds upon itself.

It is presently preferred that such pair of mounting members 2 aresecured to such walls by an adhesive. It is also preferred that suchpair of track members 4 are secured to the pair of mounting members 2 bymeans of screws or adhesives, and it more preferred that such trackmembers 4 are secured to the mounting members 2 by means of an adhesive.The predetermined shape of such track members 4 is substantially arcuatewhen they are attached to the mounting members 2.

Such folding enclosure 6 further includes a handle member 8 that isdisposed on a side of the folding enclosure 6 for ease of opening andclosing the folding enclosure 6. The handle member 8 is disposed atsubstantially a midpoint on the folding enclosure 6 in a verticaldirection. Such folding enclosure 6 also is pliable and it essentiallyfolds into itself, such folds in the folding enclosure 6 aresubstantially accordion pleats.

In another aspect the invention provides an apparatus, generallydesignated 30, for holding bathing accessories in one of a shower stalland a bath unit. The apparatus 30 comprises a corner mounting member 32secured to a corner portion of a wall in such one of a shower and a bathunit.

A plurality of shelves 34 are attached to the corner mounting member 32.The plurality of shelves 34 having a predetermined shape and formed of apredetermined material. Such plurality of shelves can be two or three asseen in FIGS. 4 and 5. A pair of side mounting members 36 are secured toadjacent wall surfaces closely adjacent such corner shelves 34, the sidemounting members 36 are disposed vertically on such adjacent walls. Apair or track members 38 are secured to the pair of side mountingmembers 36, a first one of the pair of track members 38 is secured to atop portion of each of the pair of side mounting members 36 and a secondone of the pair of track members 38 is secured to a bottom portion ofeach of the pair of side mounting members 38. A folding enclosure 42 isengageable on a bottom end with the second one of the pair of trackmembers 38 and an upper end of the folding enclosure 42 is engageablewith the first one of the pair of track members 38. The foldingenclosure 42 having each of a predetermined shape and a predeterminedsize and is formed of a predetermined material. The folding enclosure 42covers such corner shelves 34 when in a closed position.

It is preferred that such pair of side mounting members 36 are securedto such walls by an adhesive. In a preferred embodiment of the inventionsuch shelves 34, corner mounting member 32, side mounting members 36 andthe track members 38 are molded as a one piece unit made of plastic.However, it is within the scope of the invention that such track members36 could be secured to the shelves 34 and the side mounting members 36by means of an adhesive. The predetermined shape of such track members38 is substantially arcuate.

The folding enclosure 42 of the apparatus 30 further includes a handlemember 44 that is disposed on a side of the folding enclosure 42 forease of opening and closing the folding enclosure 42. Such handle member44 is disposed at substantially a midpoint on the folding enclosure 42in a vertical direction. It is also preferred that such foldingenclosure 42 is pliable.

It is preferred that such plurality of shelves 34, whether they be a twoshelf unit as seen in FIG. 4 or a three shelf unit as seen in FIG. 5,are substantially pie shaped with a narrow end of the pie shape affixedto the corner mounting member 32. It is also preferred that thepredetermined material for forming such shelves 34 is plastic.

It should be noted that although the Drawing Figures show the cornerunits (shelves and mounting members) where the corner is at rightangles, it is within the scope of the invention that in shower stallsand bathtub enclosures that have rounded or arcuate corners as are foundin many one piece molded units that the invention applies to thoseshower and bath units as well with only minor modifications in theshelves or mounting members. Also although the enclosure is described asa folding enclosure since this is preferred, it is within the scope ofthe invention that the enclosure be a door that would open in adifferent manner.

Thus, the present invention provides a shower or tub corner shelves withan enclosure that will hold all of the bath accessories neatly and awayfrom view. The cover or door can be added to an existing set of shelvesby simply adding wall mounts which are affixed to any bathroom wall bymeans of an adhesive. A track system is attached to the wall mountswithin which the cover or door moves. Since the cover or door folds onitself in an accordion fashion the shelves are essentially completelyexposed when the door is slid open but such shelves with all of theamenities thereon are hidden from view when the door is closed. Theinvention can be used with either a two or three shelf wall unit. Thisprovides for a neat and tidy shower or bath unit.

While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of thepresent invention has been described in detail above, it should beunderstood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of theinvention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled inthe art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or thescope of the appended claims.

1. An apparatus for enclosing existing corner shelves of one of a showerand bath unit, said apparatus comprising: (a) a pair of mounting memberssecured to adjacent wall surfaces closely adjacent such corner shelves,said mounting members disposed vertically on such adjacent walls; (b) apair or track members secured to said pair of mounting members, a firstone of said pair of track members secured to a top portion of each ofsaid pair of mounting members and a second one of said pair of trackmembers secured to a bottom portion of each of said pair of mountingmember, said pair of track members having a predetermined shape; and (c)an enclosure engageable on a bottom end with said second one of saidpair of track members and on an upper end with said first one of saidpair of track members, said enclosure having each of a predeterminedshape and a predetermined size and formed of a predetermined material,said enclosure for covering such shelves.
 2. The apparatus, according toclaim 1, wherein said pair of mounting members are secured to such wallsby an adhesive.
 3. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein saidenclosure is a folding enclosure.
 4. The apparatus, according to claim1, wherein said track members are secured to said mounting members bymeans of an adhesive.
 5. The apparatus, according to claim 3, whereinsaid folding enclosure further includes a handle member disposed on aside of said folding enclosure for ease of opening and closing saidfolding enclosure.
 6. The apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein saidhandle member is disposed at substantially a midpoint on said foldingenclosure in a vertical direction.
 7. The apparatus, according to claim1, wherein said predetermined shape of said track members issubstantially arcuate when attached to said mounting members.
 8. Theapparatus, according to claim 3, wherein said folding enclosure ispliable.
 9. The apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said foldingenclosure folds in substantially accordion pleats.
 10. An apparatus forholding bathing accessories in one of a shower and a bath unit, saidapparatus comprising: (a) a corner mounting member secured to a cornerportion of a wall in such one of a shower and a bath unit; (b) aplurality of shelves attached to said corner mounting member, saidplurality of shelves having a predetermined shape and formed of apredetermined material; (c) (a) a pair of side mounting members securedto adjacent wall surfaces closely adjacent such corner shelves, saidmounting members disposed vertically on such adjacent walls; (d) a pairor track members secured to said pair of mounting members, a first oneof said pair of track members secured to a top portion of each of saidpair of mounting members and a second one of said pair of track memberssecured to a bottom portion of each of said pair of mounting member; and(c) an enclosure engageable on a bottom end with said second one of saidpair of track members and on an upper end with said first one of saidpair of track members, said enclosure having each of a predeterminedshape and a predetermined size and formed of a predetermined material,said enclosure for covering such corner shelves.
 11. The apparatus,according to claim 10, wherein said pair of side mounting members aresecured to such walls by an adhesive.
 12. The apparatus, according toclaim 10, wherein said apparatus including said corner mounting member,said shelves, said side mounting members and said track members aremolded as a one piece unit.
 13. The apparatus, according to claim 12,wherein said apparatus including said corner mounting member, saidshelves, said side mounting members and said track members are formed ofplastic.
 14. The apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein saidenclosure is a folding enclosure.
 15. The apparatus, according to claim14, wherein said folding enclosure is pleated so as to fold tightly whenopened.
 16. The apparatus, according to claim 14, wherein said foldingenclosure further includes a handle member disposed on a side of saidfolding enclosure for ease of opening and closing said foldingenclosure.
 17. The apparatus, according to claim 16, wherein said handlemember is disposed at substantially a midpoint on said folding enclosurein a vertical direction.
 18. The apparatus, according to claim 14,wherein said folding enclosure is pliable.
 19. The apparatus, accordingto claim 10, wherein said predetermined shape of said track members issubstantially arcuate.
 20. The apparatus, according to claim 10, whereinsaid predetermined shape of said plurality of shelves is substantiallypie shaped with a narrow end of said pie shape affixed to said cornermounting member.